Ramping up for hiring during the end of the year is always a major lift. Whether your TA team is hiring ahead of a holiday rush, staffing up for a major project or trying to keep the pace with high-volume hiring needs during a peak in seasonal hiring, staying ahead of the latest trends is key to keeping your hiring game strong. Here’s a breakdown of what to keep an eye on when it comes to seasonal and high-volume hiring this season. 

Trends Impacting Seasonal & High-Volume Hiring 

• Ongoing Demand for High-Volume Roles: Industries like hospitality, retail and leisure continue to face challenges attracting talent for seasonal and high-volume roles throughout the year. Add to this the traditional increase in demand for end-of-year seasonal hiring, and for many industries, the competition for talent in these roles is likely to remain high. 

• Retention Concerns for Hourly Roles: Over half of hourly workers plan to leave their job in the next 12 months, according to a recent report. Problematic retention rates for hourly roles can create a revolving-door issue that leaves many TA teams continually re-hiring for critical high-volume and hourly roles. 

• Gen Z Dissatisfaction: More than 76% of hourly workers ages 18-24 said they plan to leave their job in the next 12 months according to a recent study, with 40% planning to quit in the next 3-6 months. All eyes may be on overall job market trends heading into the end of the year, but TA teams should be paying even closer attention to key data and cohort trends within their own businesses as they are planning for end-of-year hiring. It’s also worth examining messaging and efforts to attract Gen Z talent in all areas of hiring, including seasonal and hourly roles. 

• The Gig Economy & Demands for Flexibility: Flexibility is key in attracting candidates for high-volume, hourly and seasonal roles. Employers that can provide the flexibility of the gig economy to customize and set a schedule around a candidate’s preferences can differentiate themselves to stand apart from the competition. 

• The Impact of E-commerce Hiring: E-commerce continues to reshape seasonal hiring, especially during peak seasons like Black Friday, Christmas and end-of-year shopping season. The continued demand for seasonal talent to support year-end e-commerce peaks also impacts talent availability for other industries, adding more competition to the mix during the end of the year. 

Talent Acquisition Trends to Watch  

The Season Starts Early 

Last year, many large employers announced and started on seasonal hiring plans in early September, meaning competition starts early, whether your team is ramping up seasonal hiring or working to attract top talent into ongoing high-volume roles and finish the year strong. 

Strategic Use of AI & Automation 

With the use of AI, many large companies are using automation to help streamline nearly every stage of recruitment. Used strategically, automation can not only help speed up the process, but it can also help TA teams improve other key metrics like quality of hire. 

Hiring Events Add Scale & Speed to the Process  

TA teams in industries from healthcare to retail and beyond are using hiring events to help quickly and cost-efficiently meet their seasonal and high-volume hiring needs. Large-scale virtual hiring events can help teams quickly screen and interview hundreds of candidates in a matter of hours across geographic regions and roles.  

The Importance of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion  

In 2024, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential for all roles, including seasonal, hourly and high-volume positions. This isn’t just about being fair; it’s about attracting a broader, more qualified pool of candidates for every type of role. 

Consistent, Compelling Employer Branding Sets the Best Apart  

Candidates are doing their homework before applying for jobs, checking out everything from your social media presence to employee reviews. A strong employer brand can make or break your ability to attract and retain talent for every type of role. Companies are focusing on their online reputation and DEI programs to make sure they stand out and appeal to the changing demands of today’s workforce.  

Keeping a Pulse on Key Data & Trends  

As we approach the end of 2024, understanding these seasonal and high-volume hiring trends can help organizations navigate the competitive hiring landscape effectively. Keeping an eye not only on industry trends and job market reports but also on your internal data will be key in making sure your team is set up to meet your seasonal and high-volume hiring targets as markets and business factors continue to evolve.  

• About the Author
• Latest Posts

About Evan Clarke

Evan Clarke, a Canadian Content Marketing Manager based in Vienna, crafts narratives for Radancy through insightful articles, whitepapers, compelling social media content, and more. Outside of connecting top talent with leading companies, Evan enjoys writing fiction, producing music, and watching movies.

• Seasonal & High-Volume Hiring Trends: What’s Hot in 2024  - September 13, 2024
• TA Trends: Getting Ready for Campus Recruiting Season  - September 5, 2024
• Candidate Resentment on the Rise: What TA Teams Need to Know  - August 23, 2024
• Tech & TA Trends: What You Need to Know about Generative AI, Gen Z & Employer Brand  - August 16, 2024
• Evolving Healthcare Dynamics in 2024  - July 3, 2024
• 2024 Talent Acquisition Trends Research Recap – LHRA Report  - June 14, 2024